American M2A2 Bradley outmatches Russian BMP‑3 in new report
Extensive fragments of a Russian report have surfaced on social media. The report details the findings of studies on the M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, which was captured during the conflict in Ukraine. The report confirms that the American vehicle is significantly superior to the BMP-3.
The Ukrainian portal Militarnyj highlights the opinion of blogger and tank researcher Andrij Tarasenko. In a post on his Telegram profile, he stated that the Russian report seems to be a superficial analysis. Still, it unequivocally shows that the American M2A2 is significantly better than the BMP-3, which confirms the failure of the Soviet and Russian school of infantry fighting vehicle design.
M2A2 Bradley better than BMP-3
The report prepared by the 38th Research Institute of Armored Vehicles of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation indicated that the M2A2 Bradley surpasses the BMP-3 in crew safety due to better armour and higher mine protection.
The American vehicle was also rated more favourably regarding firepower, noting that the main gun (M242 Bushmaster, 25 mm calibre) offers twice the accuracy of the 30 mm calibre guns in the BMP-3. Moreover, according to the authors, the M2A2 Bradley provides greater comfort for the crew and transported infantry soldiers, and the maintenance of its main components is quicker and requires less effort. The only advantages of the BMP-3 are its mobility and range (as the BMP-3 is significantly lighter) and its ability to overcome water obstacles.
One of the best vehicles in Ukrainian service
According to Western analysts and Ukrainian soldiers, the M2A2 Bradley is one of the best vehicles to reach the front as part of NATO support. Numerous reports and recordings have appeared on social media showing successful attacks on Russians and evidence of the very high durability of the armour of these American constructions.
Kremlin propagandists have repeatedly claimed, however, that the BMP-3 surpasses, among others, the German Marders and M2A2 Bradleys. The published report may be even more disappointing for them, as the BMP-3 is the most modern serially produced infantry fighting vehicle in Russia. Meanwhile, the Americans sent Ukraine the M2A2 Bradley ODS from the early 1990s, variants reminiscent of those used during Desert Storm.
Besides the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm automatic cannon (with a firing rate of up to 200 rounds per minute), the M2A2 Bradley is also equipped with a 7.62 mm calibre machine gun and a TOW anti-tank missile launcher.
